Social critic urges private school owners to join solidarity action, says student safety must come before profit_
Social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has called out the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools [NAPPS] for distancing itself from the ongoing protest over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, saying the move exposes a troubling profit-first mindset in the education sector.
In a statement released Sunday, VeryDarkMan said NAPPS’ decision “raises serious concerns” about how private school owners view their role beyond running schools as commercial ventures.
“It’s about time the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools [NAPPS] understood that education is more than a business and that profit should not outweigh humanity,” he said.
“VeryDarkMan questioned whether NAPPS would take the same position if a similar tragedy occurred in one of its member schools.
“If this incident had occurred in one of their schools, would the public not have stood in solidarity with them?” he asked.
His comments come as the Nigeria Union of Teachers [NUT], Oyo State Wing, commenced an indefinite strike on Monday, June 1, 2026, over the May 15 abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a vice principal, in Oriire Local Government Area. One teacher was later confirmed dead in captivity by Governor Seyi Makinde.
VeryDarkMan argued that moments of crisis demand unity across the education sector, not selective involvement based on school ownership.
“Moments like this demand collective responsibility, not selective involvement. No school, whether public or private, is immune to the challenges facing our education system,” he stated.
He said standing together sends a stronger message to government and security agencies that the safety of students and teachers is non-negotiable.
“Standing together in times of crisis strengthens the entire sector and sends a clear message that the safety and welfare of students and teachers matter above all else,” he added.
The Oyo teachers’ strike has shut down public primary and secondary schools statewide, with the NUT saying classrooms will remain closed until abducted victims are freed.
President Bola Tinubu has since deployed security chiefs to Oyo and approved 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.
VeryDarkMan’s remarks have sparked debate online, with many Nigerians echoing his call for private school proprietors to show solidarity, while others defended NAPPS’ right to set its own position on public protests.
As of press time, NAPPS had not issued a formal response to VeryDarkMan’s criticism.
